The Celtic magazine. A monthly periodical devoted to the literature ...

THE CELTIC MAGAZIKfi. 173"Times;" and many others we could mention. We shall be delighted tosee produced a list of writers from the Highlands, even if possessed of theso-called qualification of a total ignorance of the Gaelic language to equalthese men in English composition. The contention of our opponents isreally so ii-rational and absurd as to be unworthy of notice^ were it notthat we see men of position seriously giving expression to such absurdities.We have even seen a gentleman who has been elevated since, much to thesurprise of the profession, to the position of an inspector of schools, stoutlymaintaining it in large type in the columns of one of our northern newspapers.Such arguments amount to this—that a real and thoroughknowledge of his native language, whether it be Gaelic, English, orFrench, is a drawback and a disqualification for acquiring and writing aforeign one, and that the greater his ignorance of his native tongue thegreater the proficiency of a scholar in a foreign one; while common sense,(wliich is unfortunately, in educational circles, sometimes, and especiallyon this question, very uncommon), and all the experience of the past go toprove the very opposite.It is pleasant to find the rational vieAv making steady progresseven among those who were understood for a long time to hold adili'erent opinion. Mr Jolly, Her Majesty's Inspector of Schools, who is imfortunalelyignorant of the native language of the children whom he examinesprofessionally, expressed himself unfavourable to teaching Gaelic in Highlandschools, before he had time to examine the question for himself- buthaving looked the matter in the face, and given it serious consideration,we are gi'atified to find him stating at the last annual meetmg of theGaelic Society that he belonged to the class who desired that Gaelicshoidd be used for getting at the intelligence of the children when readingEnglish ; and who afterwards wished the Gaelic language and literatureto be introduced when the children had mastered the mechanical difficultiesof reading, and were able to enter into the meaning and spirit ofwhat they read. " Although a Lowlander he had every sympathy withthose who desired to preserve the Gaelic ; and he held exactly the sameviews on the subject of Gaelic teaching as are held by Professor Blackiethe Eev. Alex. ]\Iacgregor, and Dr Clerk, Kihnallie." We have a prettygood idea as to what the Eev. Mr Macgregor's views on the question areas weU as Professor Blackie's, and are therefore quite satisfied with MrJolly's. The Professor, we are happy to say, bas engaged to give expressionto his, in a definite form, on an early date in these pages; and wefeel sure that they will satisfy all reasonable men.We attach great value to the expression of such an opinion as MrJoUy's, arrived at after mature deliberation and observation of therequirements of the Highlands ; from one who is liimself a strano-er to thelanguage, and who would naturally be prejudiced against it ; for we mustkeep in mind that in expressing such a favourable opinion he was to someextent weakening his own position as an Inspector of Schools, imable toexamine in a language which he honestly affirmed, and with a candourwhich deserves acknowledgment, ought to be used, and at a certain sta'>etaught in the schools. We are quite satisfied to place this opinionagainst the views of another inspector in the north, whose only reply to